Insurance in the united states

By Thomas Walkom National Affairs Columnist Thu., Oct. 11, 2018 How can Canada break its dependence on the United States? This question has bedeviled both the left and the right since 1945. Conservative Prime Minister John Diefenbaker tried to answer it and failed. So did Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. In the 1970s, during one of Canada’s periodic bouts of economic nationalism, the dependency question was front and centre. But by the 1990s, free trade appeared to have made it moot. Now, spurred by the excesses of U.S. President Donald Trump, it is back on the agenda. The latest organization to address Canada’s dependency is the Public Policy Forum, a non-partisan think tank funded by governments, business and some unions. Article Continued Below In a report released Thursday entitled “Diversification not Dependence,” it makes a compelling case for Canada to escape the “honey trap” of its reliance on the U.S. … [Read more...] about How Canada can break its dependence on the United States

The prestigious title of president of the United States comes with benefits and perks that are just as luxurious. US presidents earn a $400,000 salary while in office, but that’s not the only financial perk. Presidents also have access to a country home, a personal plane, a helicopter, and a post-presidency pension. Besides having the most prestigious title in the United States, presidents have several perks that lift a financial burden off their shoulders. US law requires the president of the United States to be paid a salary while in office. According to Title 3 of the US code, a president earns a $400,000 salary and is still on government payroll after leaving office. The president is also granted a $50,000 annual expense account, $100,000 nontaxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment. While sitting presidents and former presidents receive several perks that last beyond their time in office, like security and health insurance, … [Read more...] about 17 financial perks of being the president of the United States

caption Crowds walk through Times Square as a cold weather front hits the region in Manhattan, New York, U.S., December 28, 2017. source Andrew Kelly/Reuters Anthony Bourdain died on Friday, with early reports indicating that the beloved celebrity chef and TV host committed suicide. Earlier in the week, Kate Spade died by suicide as well. Their deaths are part of a nationwide trend. Since 1999, the national suicide rate has risen by nearly 30%, and mental illness is believed to be one of the largest contributors. Mental-health experts expect that the country’s decline in funding for mental healthcare has contributed to the rise. Those who can afford out-of-pocket costs for mental health services are more likely to seek them out and receive treatment. Anthony Bourdain, acclaimed chef who explored the globe in search of the world’s best cuisine, … [Read more...] about There may be one big reason why suicide rates keep climbing in the US, according to mental-health experts

It is an anxious time for Taiwan. China’s People’s Liberation Army is flying bombers around the island, openly simulating attacks on Taiwanese targets, and threatening that it won’t wait for reunification forever; it hopes to scare the island into submission beforehand. The worrisome thing is that Beijing’s Warrior President Xi Jinping seems to be talking himself into a fight. And PLA generals – flush with new weapons and hardware – might be egging him on. The dailyReport Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox However, there are multiple reasons a war with Taiwan will not – or at least, should not – happen. A big, bloody risk If it came to a cross-strait showdown, China could certainly hammer Taiwan, and probably seize the island. But it would come at massive costs in lives, gold and goodwill. It is widely established that countries that start wars wildly underestimate the costs, but they all think it’ll be … [Read more...] about War with Taiwan would risk China’s place in the global community

By Thomas Heath The Washington Post Mon., April 16, 2018 America’s 500 biggest public companies in 2018 are expected to distribute up to $600 billion or more through stock buybacks. Even Warren Buffett, who for more than 50 years has avoided such a move, is considering offering a buyback to his 1 million shareholders in Berkshire Hathaway. “As the subject of repurchases has come to a boil, some people have come close to calling them un-American — characterizing them as corporate misdeeds that divert funds needed for productive endeavors,” Buffett wrote in his annual letter to shareholders. “That simply isn’t the case.” Read more: Opinion | David Olive: Warren Buffett’s business sense is just plain common sense Article Continued Below How stock-market trading is becoming a lot like bitcoin trading U.S. stocks edge higher after giving back an early rally as global markets appear calmer Some of America’s … [Read more...] about Why some of the biggest companies in the U.S. are announcing buybacks